Everybody needs good neighbours: movement, habitat use, and conspecific association in a reintroduced mesopredator

Abstract

As a reintroduction progresses through the establishment, growth, and regulation phases, density-dependent mechanisms increasingly drive population dynamics. This can complicate efforts to reinforce these populations if the translocated individuals (henceforth reinforcers) are excluded, or existing residents become displaced. This is especially pertinent for islands and fenced havens, where immigration is often only possible by translocation. Conspecific associations offer insights into how these density-dependent mechanisms manifest in space and time. We investigated how movement, habitat use, and conspecific associations differed between eastern quoll ( Dasyurus viverrinus ) residents and reinforcers at a conservation-fenced haven. We used GPS collars to quantify distances travelled per night, home and core ranges, nocturnal (activity) and diurnal (denning) habitat use and preference, and conspecific associations over three periods: baseline (residents only, days 3–21), release (both cohorts, days 22–32), and settlement (reinforcers only, days 33–52) for ≤ 42 days post-release (depending on GPS unit longevity). Eastern quolls travelled greater mean distances per night (

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